HB 143 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Revise definition of treating physician to include physician assistants without regard to proximity of other providers

HB 143 revises the definition of "treating physician" within the state's Workers' Compensation Act. This bill expands the definition to explicitly include physician assistants (PAs). A key provision is the removal of any requirement for PAs to be in proximity to other medical providers to qualify as a treating physician for these purposes. This change affects how workers' compensation claims are managed and potentially broadens the types of healthcare providers recognized for injured workers.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Signed Apr 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0143_1(6).pdf HB0143_X.pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was reclassified from an authorized print version to an enrolled bill, indicating it has been signed into law. The substantive text of the definitions section remains unchanged, though the bill title now explicitly clarifies that the changes apply to Physician Assistants regardless of proximity to other providers.
Scope change
The bill's scope is now confirmed as enacted law, extending the definition of 'treating physician' to include Physician Assistants in all contexts, not just where other providers are present.
TIMELINE

The document status changed from 'Authorized Print Version' to 'Enrolled Bill', signifying the bill has been officially signed and enacted.

SCOPE

The bill title was updated to explicitly state that the definition revision applies to Physician Assistants without regard to the proximity of other providers.

DEFINITION

The specific legal definitions within the text (e.g., 'Actual wage loss', 'Beneficiary', 'Health care provider') remained identical between the two versions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2025 · House Jan 27, 2025

How they voted

500
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 27, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 16, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0)
senate
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Jan 27, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (98-0-2)
house
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 9, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jodee Etchart
Jodee Etchart
RRepublican
MT
51